Wisconsin-Stevens Point planning to eliminate the philosophy major

MOVING TO FRONT FROM MARCH 5--LINK FIXED, AND MORE COMMENTS WELCOME

Political theorist David Lay Williams (DePaul) writes:

I'm writing to let you know that my former home university, The University of Wisconsin--Stevens Point has just announced that it plans to eliminate its Philosophy major (along with 11-12 other majors, mostly in the liberal arts) in order to free up resources for an MBA program, among other new majors that offer greater "value in opening career pathways." I taught in the Philosophy and Political Science departments there for 11 years. I saw many first-generation students there find themselves while studying philosophy -- students who went on to great success in all corners of society, including law school, grad school, medical school, public policy, small businesses, large businesses, etc. This is not a done deal yet. I'd encourage anyone with an interest in the ability of rural students to find their passion in Philosophy to register their objections with administration. The chancellor, Bernie Patterson, can be reached at bpatters@uwsp.edu / 715-346-4841.

This is basically a proposal to wipe out the liberal arts offerings in favor of vocational offerings. It also appears faculty jobs are at risk. I suspect the changes to tenure rules in Wisconsin that we've covered in the past are going to permit this mischief to go forward much more easily than it would have under the old financial exigency standard. More information welcome in the comments.

UPDATE: Philosopher Steven Nadler (Wisconsin/Madison) sends along a copy of the "strategic" plan "explaining" these moves: Download Point Forward

Comments

Wisconsin-Stevens Point planning to eliminate the philosophy major

MOVING TO FRONT FROM MARCH 5--LINK FIXED, AND MORE COMMENTS WELCOME

Political theorist David Lay Williams (DePaul) writes:

I'm writing to let you know that my former home university, The University of Wisconsin--Stevens Point has just announced that it plans to eliminate its Philosophy major (along with 11-12 other majors, mostly in the liberal arts) in order to free up resources for an MBA program, among other new majors that offer greater "value in opening career pathways." I taught in the Philosophy and Political Science departments there for 11 years. I saw many first-generation students there find themselves while studying philosophy -- students who went on to great success in all corners of society, including law school, grad school, medical school, public policy, small businesses, large businesses, etc. This is not a done deal yet. I'd encourage anyone with an interest in the ability of rural students to find their passion in Philosophy to register their objections with administration. The chancellor, Bernie Patterson, can be reached at bpatters@uwsp.edu / 715-346-4841.

This is basically a proposal to wipe out the liberal arts offerings in favor of vocational offerings. It also appears faculty jobs are at risk. I suspect the changes to tenure rules in Wisconsin that we've covered in the past are going to permit this mischief to go forward much more easily than it would have under the old financial exigency standard. More information welcome in the comments.

UPDATE: Philosopher Steven Nadler (Wisconsin/Madison) sends along a copy of the "strategic" plan "explaining" these moves: Download Point Forward